Assassination Attempt
Bodycam: Law Enforcement 'Lost Sight' of Gunman Before Trump Shooting
The footage has intensified scrutiny over the security measures in place at the rally.
Butler, PA — Newly released body camera footage has shed light on critical moments leading up to the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The footage, posted on social media by Senator Chuck Grassley, reveals that law enforcement officers lost sight of the gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, shortly before he opened fire, resulting in one death and multiple injuries.
On July 13, 2024, former President Trump was addressing supporters when Crooks, positioned on a nearby rooftop, fired several shots. Trump was grazed in the ear, and one rally attendee, Corey Comperatore, was killed. Two others, David Dutch and James Copenhaver, sustained serious injuries but are now in stable condition.
The bodycam footage, captured by the Beaver County Emergency Services Unit, shows officers and Secret Service agents discussing the moments before and after the shooting. One officer can be heard explaining how a sniper initially spotted Crooks but then lost sight of him. "That's the sniper who sent the original pictures and seen him come from the bike and then set the bag back down and then lost sight of him," the officer said.
The footage has intensified scrutiny over the security measures in place at the rally. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned amid criticism of the agency's handling of the event. Cheatle described the incident as the "most significant operational failure" in decades during her testimony before the House Oversight and Accountability Committee.
Colonel Christopher Paris of the Pennsylvania State Police revealed that two local officers had left their posts to search for Crooks, who had been acting suspiciously. This decision left a crucial position unattended, potentially allowing Crooks to access the rooftop unnoticed. "There was uncertainty about whether the officers would have noticed Crooks climbing onto the roof had they remained at their post," Paris stated.
Investigations into Crooks' motives have so far yielded no clear ideological or political reasons for the attack. Crooks' phone contained images of both Trump and President Joe Biden, as well as other political figures, but no threatening messages. Law enforcement sources also noted that Crooks had conducted online searches related to major depressive disorder and various political events.
Senator Mike Lee highlighted that law enforcement had identified Crooks as "suspicious" 19 minutes before the shooting. Despite this, officers were unable to locate him until he was already on the roof. A local officer attempted to confront Crooks but had to retreat when Crooks aimed his rifle at him.
The shooting has prompted strong reactions from political leaders. President Joe Biden condemned the violence, stating, "There is no place in America for this kind of violence. It's sick." He also expressed his intention to speak with Trump directly.
In the aftermath, multiple investigations have been launched to determine the security failures that allowed the shooting to occur. The Department of Homeland Security's inspector general is reviewing the Secret Service's planning and preparedness for the event, while a bipartisan task force in the House of Representatives is set to probe the assassination attempt.
The incident has raised significant questions about the adequacy of security measures for high-profile political events. Experts have criticized the decision not to secure the building from which Crooks fired, given its proximity to the rally stage. Patrick Brosnan, a former NYPD detective, emphasized that such a building should have been under surveillance from the start.
As investigations continue, the focus remains on understanding how Crooks was able to carry out the attack and preventing similar incidents in the future. The resignation of Secret Service Director Cheatle marks a significant shift in the agency's leadership, with new acting director Kimberly Cheatle tasked with addressing the security lapses and restoring confidence in the agency's ability to protect its protectees.
The tragic events in Butler serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in ensuring the safety of public figures and the importance of robust security protocols.